title: Biochemical and haematological changes in HIV subjects receiving winniecure antiretroviral drug in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematological and biochemical abnormalities are among the most common clinicopathological manifestations of HIV patients on ART. Consequently, the development and assessment of indigenous antiretroviral drugs with minimal abnormalities becomes a necessity. The objective of this investigation was to assess potential haematological and biochemical abnormalities that may be associated with the administration of Winniecure ART in HIV patients undergoing treatment in Nigeria. Fifty (50) confirmed HIV positive ART naïve patients aged 36 ± 10 were observed for haematological and biochemical responses for 12 weeks. Haematological responses were assessed thrice at 6 weeks interval using coulter Ac-T differential analyser and biochemical indicators (bilirubin, creatine, urea, amylase, ALT, ALP, AST, albumin) assayed spectrophotometrically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The biochemical parameters ALP (P < 0.05), ALT (P < 0.0001), AST (P < 0.001) and amylase (P < 0.05) slightly increased at the 12th week, no significant change was observed in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations while albumin levels decreased non-significantly (P > 0.002). Haematological results showed consistent reduction of ESR, eosinophil, absolute and differential lymphocytes, granulocytes and total WBC in the test subjects throughout the assessment period. Conversely, haemoglobin, platelet and PCV increased significantly (P < 0.05). At the 12th week thrombocytopenia (10.30%) and anaemia (76%) were reduced to 2% and 31% respectively while neutropenia (4.2 to 8%), leucopenia (26.8 to 30%) and lymphopenia (1 to 10%) increased. No cases of neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia and leukocytosis was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The drug has a reduced haematological abnormalities and normal kidney function was unaffected though there were signs of possible abnormal levels of hepatic enzymes beyond 12 weeks of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria. barthokeyibeh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bartholomew Okecuhukwu
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Ibeh
authors.forename: Olushola D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Omodamiro
authors.forename: Urenna
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ibeh
authors.forename: Josiah Bitrus
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Habu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts